Myers Psychology 9e, Chapter 4

STUDY

PLAY

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes

identical twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

temperament

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

heritability

The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. May vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

molecular genetics

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

gender

in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

norm

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. They prescribe "proper" behavior

personal space

the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies

individualism

giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

collectivism

giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly

X chromosome

the sex chromosome found in both men and women.

Y chromosome

the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

testosterone

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional amount of it in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

gender role

a set of expected behaviors for males and for females

gender identity

our sense of being male or female

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished